"Columbo" Dead Weight (1971)

User Rating:

6.6/10   

Director:

Jack Smight

Writers:

Richard Levinson (creator) &
William Link (creator) ...
(more)

TV Series:

"Columbo" (1971)

Original Air Date:

27 October 1971 (Season 1, Episode 3)

Genre:

Crime | Drama | Mystery | Thriller

Plot:

A war hero shoots and kills his business partner; an easily manipulated young divorcée is the only witness.

Plot Keywords:

War Hero | General | Witness | Police | Murder Investigation

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Primetime Emmys.

Cast

Peter Falk	...	Columbo
Eddie Albert	...	Maj. Gen. Martin J. Hollister
Kate Reid	...	Mrs. Walters
Suzanne Pleshette	...	Helen Stewart
John Kerr	...	Col. Roger Dutton
Val Avery	...	Harry Barnes
Timothy Carey	...	Bert
Clete Roberts	...	TV Newsman
Ron Castro	...	Officer Sanchez
Glen Vernon	...	1st Officer
Jim Pelham	...	2nd Officer (as Jimmy Pelham)
James Halferty	...	1st Marine Cadet (as Jim Halferty)

Directed by
Jack Smight

Writing credits
Richard Levinson		(creator) &
William Link		(creator)
John T. Dugan		(written by)

Produced by
Everett Chambers	....	producer
Richard Levinson	....	executive producer
William Link	....	executive producer
Robert F. O'Neill	....	associate producer

Original Music by
Gil Melle		(music score) (as Gil Mellé)

Cinematography by
Russell Metty		(director of photography) (as Russell L. Metty)

Film Editing by
Richard M. Sprague

Art Direction by
Archie J. Bacon		(as Arch Bacon)

Set Decoration by
Richard Friedman

Costume Design by
Burton Miller		(costumes)

Production Management
Henry Kline	....	unit manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Jack Barry	....	assistant director
Lou Watt	....	second assistant director (uncredited)

Sound Department
David H. Moriarty	....	sound

Editorial Department
Richard Belding	....	editorial supervisor
Steve Johnson	....	colorist

Music Department
Henry Mancini	....	composer: theme
Billy Goldenberg	....	musical cues (uncredited)

Other crew
Steven Bochco	....	story editor
Wayne Fitzgerald	....	title designer: main title

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Richard Levinson		creator
William Link		creator

Production Companies

• Universal TV

Distributors

• DeAgostini Japan (2007) (Japan) (DVD)
• MCA-TV (1971) (worldwide) (TV)
• National Broadcasting Company (NBC) (1971) (USA) (TV) (original airing)
• Universal Pictures Benelux (2004) (Netherlands) (DVD)
• Universal Pictures Finland Oy (2004) (Finland) (DVD)

Other Companies

• Alliance of Motion Picture & Television Producers (AMPTP)  acknowledgement
• Universal City Studios  copyright (as Universal City Studios, Inc.)
• Universal Title  titles & optical effects

Runtime:

USA:72 min | Italy:70 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Finland:K-7 (2004)

Company:

Universal TV

Trivia:

When Columbo flashes his badge in this episode, his first name can be seen, alongside his photo (it's Frank).

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: During a conversation between Columbo and Mrs. Walters a microphone is visible at the ceiling.

Quotes:

Harry Barnes: If you hand me your line, I'll secure your stern.
Mrs. Walters: I beg your pardon?
Harry Barnes: I'll tie up your boat.

Movie Connections:

Followed by Columbo: Rest in Peace, Mrs. Columbo (1990) (TV)

Enjoyable if far-fetched Columbo

The third episode from Columbo's first season, this one casts former Green Acres star Eddie Albert as a Patton like General whose murder of a soldier is witnessed by Suzanne Pleshette, an ordinary citizen whose word is suspect. After all, who would you believe? A highly decorated legend of the military or an anonymous citizen? The mystery is fairly effective, but it's the performances that stand-out. Albert is really quite good as the General, and he manages to add an effective menace to the twinkle in his eye. Pleshette is always good no matter the material, and Falk is first rate.